Pick a clean, professional template with a reverse-chronological layout. That layout highlights recent trade experience, certifications, and site work you did, and ATS reads it easily.
Keep length tight. One page works for early and mid-career Firebrick Layer workers. Use two pages only if you have many years of direct masonry projects and certifications.
Use simple fonts like Calibri or Arial and keep body text at 10–12pt. Put section headers at 14–16pt and leave enough white space around each block so a hiring manager can scan quickly.
List certifications, tools, and safety training near the top. Use short bullet lines that show what you did and the result, for example, laid 2,000 firebricks for a kiln rebuild that passed inspection.
Avoid fancy graphics, multiple columns, or unusual fonts. Those choices can confuse ATS and distract the reader during a quick site-hire review.
Use clear section headings like Contact, Summary, Experience, Certifications, Skills, and References. Put dates next to each job and name the employer.
Common mistakes include dense text blocks, long paragraphs, and unclear job titles. Also avoid overusing color, shrinking margins to fit content, or listing irrelevant roles like long-term office jobs without tying them to masonry skills.
Proofread for consistent spacing, date format, and verb tense. Keep verbs active, and lead each bullet with a strong action word like 'built,' 'set,' or 'inspected.'